Today in practice the Denver Broncos saw two more defensive starters leave the field with injuries. This time it was strong safety T.J. Ward and inside linebacker Todd Davis. The New York Jets added depth on their defensive line, signing veteran Devon Still. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars lost their starting long snapper for the season.
How serious are Ward and Davis's injuries?
T.J. Ward limped off of the practice field today and is being evaluated for what appears to be a hamstring injury. The severity of his injury and how much time Ward could possibly miss are still unknown.
Todd Davis was held out of practice for the second straight day after he injured his shoulder.
His injury is less serious, as head coach Vance Joseph has described it as being “day to day.” The Denver Broncos defense has already lost starting linebacker Shane Ray for six to eight weeks after he torn a ligament in his left wrist last week. In May, backup linebacker Shaquil Barrett injured his hip working out. He did not need surgery on it but was expected to miss several months.
Jets add Devon Still
The New York Jets have signed defensive end Devon Still. The second-round pick is known for the story of his daughter Leah, who battled through a rare form of cancer, stage 4 neuroblastoma. He put his career on hold to help care for her and in 2015 it was announced that her cancer was in remission.
Still was the Cincinnati Bengals second-round pick out of Penn State in 2012. He spent his first three seasons with the Bengals before being waived and taking 2015 off. Last year, he signed with the Houston Texans but only played three games before being put on injured reserve after having season-ending foot surgery. In 33 career games, Still has 43 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.
Jaguars lose long snapper to torn ACL
The Jacksonville Jaguars lost starting long snapper Carson Tinker for the season after he tore his ACL in practice. Tinker went undrafted out of Alabama back in 2013. He then beat out veteran Jeremy Cain for the starting job and has held it since. In order to replace Tinker, the team signed veteran Matt Overton.
Overton spent time in the AF2 and UFL, twice failing to make it on the Seattle Seahawks roster in 2007 and 2010. In 2012 he finally broke through with the Indianapolis Colts and was their starting long snapper for the past five seasons. Overton even made the Pro Bowl in 2013, but the 32-year-old was waived by the team in May.
